Project team: Geraldine Klarenberg, Kristie Perez, Nikki Dix, Nia Morales, and Shirley Baker

The University of Florida and Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve (GTMNERR) are partnering with the local community and broader science community to develop a web-based, public-facing, interactive dashboard to provide access to Guana River Estuary (GRE) datasets. The aim of this work is to support open science and to increase diverse engagement with GRE within the GTMNERR by making the data available interactively, using visualization tools.

To this end, the project team sought feedback from those who have been involved with the GTMNERR to help them to better understand their needs. This document summarizes the results of an online survey that was made available via email, social media, and QR code.

1. Response rate

We received responses from 53 individuals. Out of these, .. were unfinished. For the purposes of this report, we also took the unfinished surveys into account.

.. respondents filled in the survey based on a link received via email, .. via social media, .. via a QR code available at the GTMNERR Welcome Center, and .. via a QR code available at the kiosk at the .. Dam.

2. Introductory questions

The survey started with asking respondents about their connection to the GTMNERR, how often they engage with the GTMNERR, what data they would be interested in, and whether or not they ever accessed data associated with the GTMNERR.

2.1 GTMNERR connection

2.2 Level of engagement

2.3 Data of interest (in general)

Under “Other”, the three types of data mentioned were: historical maps, water fowl, and dam operations.

2.4 Previous experience with accessing data associated with GTMNERR

Based on their response whether or not they had accessed data, respondents answered different sets of questions. The results are summarized in the next two sections.

3. Feedback from respondents that have not accessed data before

Respondents that had not (yet) accessed data, the survey asked broad questions on how often they would access these data, and what they would use them for. * These responses will still be linked to the answers in 2.3 *

Under “Other”, respondents listed: - environmental impacts, and - resilience planning

4. Feedback from respondents that have accessed data before

q_text Information on fish, shellfish or other aquatic organisms Information on terrestrial animals Information on vegetation (salt marsh or uplands) Reserve or trail closures Water level information (tides, Guana lake, river) Water quality information (including nutrients and algae) Weather information
How do you most frequently obtain or access these data?
Download from website (If so, what website?) 38 50 38 60 35 27 70
Other (please specify) 12 17 15 0 24 23 30
Request from a GTMNERR staff member by email 50 33 46 20 41 50 0
Pick-up paper copy in person 0 0 0 20 0 0 0
What are the advantages of this primary method of accessing or obtaining these data?
Data is received quickly after request 19 0 13 25 17 17 11
Easy/convenient to access 33 44 43 25 38 35 42
Other (please specify) 8 0 0 8 0 2 0
Requesting the data is quick 11 11 13 17 14 17 16
The format the data are delivered / accessed in is useful 28 33 22 17 24 26 21
There are no advantages 0 11 9 8 7 2 11
What are the disadvantages of the primary method of accessing or obtaining these data?
Difficult/Complicated to access 11 11 7 17 6 10 15
Other (please specify) 21 33 20 33 22 29 23
Slow to receive 5 11 7 0 11 3 15
The format the data are delivered / accessed in is not user-friendly 11 0 13 0 11 10 8
There are no disadvantages 42 11 40 50 39 35 31
Time consuming to request 11 33 13 0 11 13 8
How often do/did you access or obtain these data?
2-3 times a month 25 17 23 0 0 8 0
Daily 6 17 8 20 12 0 10
Less than once a year 19 0 15 0 24 19 0
Once a month 19 33 23 20 18 19 60
Once every 6 months 31 33 8 40 29 23 20
Once every year 0 0 23 20 0 27 10
At least once a week 0 0 0 0 18 4 0
What do you typically use these data for?
Decision making (for recreational/educational/scientific visits) 11 18 13 22 19 14 22
Educational purposes 22 27 22 33 15 14 17
Monitoring 15 18 13 11 7 14 0
Research 37 9 26 11 30 33 28
Work-related purposes (not research or education) 15 18 17 11 22 19 22
Other (please specify) 0 9 9 11 7 5 11
How well do these data generally satisfy your need(s)?
Extremely well 6 17 0 20 6 4 10
Moderately well 44 33 46 20 59 35 30
Slightly well 12 33 0 0 6 15 20
Very well 38 17 54 60 29 46 40

Add info on Other

5. Dashboard preferences

The survey asked respondents about their preferences regarding dashboard features (type and format of information, data delivery mode) and how they would access the dashboard.

6. Characteristics of respondents

Finally, the survey requested demographic information from respondents. This helps the project team get a better understanding of the dashboard’s target audience.

6.1 Age and gender

6.2 Distance from the GTM

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Next steps

The project team will still refine details in this report, and distribute/publish the final version by the end of August 2023. This final report will also include dashboard design considerations and recommendations based on the survey results.

If you have suggestions, comments or requests, please email Dr. Geraldine Klarenberg at .

Appendix: Visualizations accompanying section 6

The figures below provide visual interpretations of the table in section 6, on the datasets that respondents have accessed.